Azure Cracks the Code

AWS has been an undisputed leader in the cloud space for more than a decade, but the market is now shifting. Since the launch of Generative AI in 2022, the competition has intensified, and other cloud service providers like Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud are gaining traction.

In the earnings call, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella revealed that Microsoft Cloud, which includes services such as Azure, Microsoft Security, Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, and others, surpassed $110 billion in annual revenue. Of the total revenue, Azure accounts for over 50% of the business—over $55 billion annual revenue. Azure witnessed about 23% growth in revenue from the previous quarter.

In terms of revenue growth compared to the previous quarter, Google Cloud?reported a 28% increase?in revenue, reaching $8.1 billion, surpassing expectations of $7.75 billion.?

AWS came in last with second-quarter cloud sales?increased by only 12%?to $22.1 billion.?

AWS is still the leader in the space with 32% market share, followed by Azure (accounting for 23% market share) and Google Cloud with 10%. However, the market balance has been tilting in favour of Azure as they have taken the lead in integrating?generative AI applications through its special partnership with OpenAI. Recently, they also announced its partnership with Meta where they provide Llama 2 on Azure cloud which gives them a further edge in the market.?

AWS is also trying to remain relevant in the generative AI and launched Bedrock, a fully managed service that makes foundation models (FMs) available through an API, in April. The service includes models from AI21,?Anthropic,?Stability AI,??Cohere, Anthropic Claude 2, along with Amazon Titan models.?

However, its impact on the AI ecosystem is yet to be measured and the quarter results of the company doesn’t tell a different story.

At the speed, Azure is catching up on AWS, it looks like there will be two close competitors in the cloud space in the coming years.

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Jobs Not Guaranteed

In the world of developers seeking jobs, building a strong GitHub profile through regular project contributions has long been the go-to advice. However, times are changing, and this approach isn't foolproof anymore. Some developers are finding that their GitHub contributions are actually costing them job opportunities, while they make money through other platforms.

JLarky, a Fogbender developer, expressed interest in new job opportunities, showcasing his GitHub profile filled with numerous contributions. Surprisingly, this didn't land him a job. One user pointed out that giving away code for free might be deterring potential employers.

While open source contributions hold value, they don't guarantee jobs. Some developers with limited GitHub activity secure positions easier than those with impressive profiles. Nonetheless, building an online presence remains essential. But, GitHub isn't the sole indicator of talent. Many companies prefer to assess skills through interviews and other assessments, rather than solely relying on GitHub.

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All Talk and No Action

The second AI senate hearing, which happened last week, proved to be another uneventful episode in the ongoing series of discussions on AI regulations. Leaders and academics in the field, including Dario Amodei, Yoshua Bengio, and Stuart Russell, addressed potential AI regulations and concerns related to privacy and national security. AGI and its potential impact were major talking points, with warnings about the need for technical and legal guidelines to prevent rogue AI models.?

However, specific enforcement measures remained elusive. Election influence was also raised as a concern, with proposed methods for detecting AI-generated content. After the hearing, big tech companies formed the Frontier Model Forum to promote safe AI development, but concrete action plans are yet to emerge. The narrative continues, leaving AI regulation in limbo.

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Big Techs Making Tech Accessible?

The Global Assistive Technology market witnessed significant growth, reaching $21.95 billion in 2022, and is projected to reach $31.22 billion by 2030. Major tech companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Google have been actively developing accessibility products to promote inclusivity, comply with legal requirements, and tap into a rapidly expanding market. These products enhance user experiences, drive innovation, and offer a competitive edge.

Apple's Voice Control is an advanced accessibility feature that enables users with motor impairments to control their devices entirely through voice commands, going beyond traditional voice assistants. Danish startup Be My Eyes is working on an AI-powered Virtual Volunteer to support the visually impaired community. Microsoft's Seeing AI app utilises AI and computer vision to assist users with visual impairments in understanding their surroundings.

On Windows, the Ease of Access Center offers a range of accessibility tools, while Google's Android Accessibility Suite provides services like TalkBack (a screen reader) and Live Transcribe (real-time speech-to-text transcription) to make Android devices more inclusive. Additionally, Apple's Switch Control caters to individuals with motor disabilities, allowing customizable interaction with Apple devices using external adaptive switches.

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